By Kristine Gadiano, Davao Today intern
DAVAO CITY – The Airport Interdiction Unit led by the Philippine Drugs Enforcment Agency (PDEA) and the Davao City Francis Bangoy International Airport authorities said they are closely monitoring the operation of importing illegal drugs in the city.
The AIU is a 24/7 composite team in the airport involving men from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), the PDEA and Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation. It was made to track and apprehend drug smugglers.
PDEA Regional Director Adzhar Albani said that drugs such as cocaine and shabu, are being delivered to the city by freight companies and mail and parcel services.
Albani added that based on the historical data, Mindanao has the “highest haul” involving 19 kls. of drugs passed through the airport.
“For November this year, we have more or less 700 grams (shabu). The parcels are coming from Parañaque, Manila as well as in Iloilo,” Albani said.
Albani specified that 500 grams of shabu came from Parañaque, Manila and almost 200 grams came from Iloilo, supposedly to be delivered to Matina Aplaya and Davao Oriental.
Albani confirmed that the senders of these drugs were apprehended through buy-bust operation and interdiction operations.
Albani said they are asking coordination from private couriers to prevent drugs from coming in the city.
He said the PDEA is also teaching the private services on how to properly use their machines to identify drugs inside cargoes.
Albani also added that the AIU uses K-9 dogs and high-tech gadgets. He said they have an office located also at the airport.
Albani said that as of now, only Davao City and Zamboanga City have AIU in Mindanao since these airports offer international flights. But soon, this will be implemented in all airports of Mindanao, he said.(davaotoday.com)
